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Episode: Sweet Drone Alabama

Sweet Drone Alabama

Published Dec. 20, 2012

Citizen Drone

Photograph by National Geographic Channels/Flight 33

The US Defense Department recently announced a contest for “citizen scientists” to design the next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles – or drones. Travis and the crew want to see what they can do. The military’s design specs are simple: fly remotely, send back video images, hover, and fit into the backpack of a single solider. It’s a tall order, but Travis and the guys want to take it up a notch – and give their drone weapons.

Flying Machine

Photograph by National Geographic Channels/Flight 34

The guys sort through bags and boxes of remote control planes and parts, and being to mix and match parts for their drone. They create a helicopter rotor that can lift 5 pounds, and decide they will make a “quad-copter” that will ideally lift 20 pounds. Rog finds an old hula hoop that turns out to be the perfect frame for the lethal flying weapon.